Uses of Latin

S. (over morning coffee and the newspaper): There seems to be a rule. When you want to cross moral boundaries, do it in Latin.

J. Huh?

S. A group called Dignitas says the state has an obligation to help a healthy woman commit suicide. Her husband’s seriously sick. He’s signed up for assisted suicide. I guess they’ve made the arrangements with the doctor. That’s one thing. Now she says she wants to go at the same time. Dignitas is supporting a suicide pact. It’s new ground for them.

J. Okay. Dignitas. Latin, sure. You’ve known about them for a long time.

S. Yes. But it reminds me of the abortion issue. The one side – us – talks about unborn babies. The other side uses Latin. Fetus. Which means “unborn child.”